Follicles in the Endocrine Pancreas of Some Myxinoid Species

A light microscopic study of the endocrine pancreas in some myxinoids has revealed a striking difference in the occurrence of follicles. Islet tissue follicles are regularly occurring and also abundant in Myxine glutinosa, but are sparse or absent in Eptatretus burgeri and Eptatretus stouti. Whether this is caused by a decreased need for insulin in Myxine glutinosa is discussed but remains an open question.